Railway car



6 Sheets-Sheet 1 i A 1 A ZZMQQm RAILWAY CAR G. G. GILPEN ETAL Filed April 8, 1929 [[P'EL March 6, 1934.,

March 6, 1934. G. G. GlLPlN ET AL RAILWAY CAR Filed April 8, 1929 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 fizven zoz W22 Afton he} LQSQQM March 6, 19341.

G. G. GELPIN El AL RAILWAY CAR Filed April 8,, 1929 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 jarifi 6' Gilpiz z 122121 I JY/mfor rihur J flffozyzey March 6, 1934. 1 N r AL I 1,950,001

RAILWAY CAR Filed April 8, 1929 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 .51 111i 1: 9 Garth G fz'ilpgn March 6, 1934. e. G. GILPIN ET AL 1,950,001

RAILWAY CAR Filed April 8, 1929 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Garth Attorney March 6, 1934. e. a. GILPIN ET AL RAILWAY CAR Filed April- 8, 1929 6 Sheets-Shae [11in 'mall patented Mar. 6, 1934 UNITED STATES RAILWAY Q Garth G. Gilpin, Riverside, and Arthur E. Small, Chicago, 111., assignors, by mesne assignments, toGeneral Steel Castings Corporation, Granite City, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application April 8, 1929, Serial No. 353,494

31 @Dlaims.

struction. Some cars have just one cross bearer,

while others have a plurality of cross bearers with hoppers disposed on both sides thereof. Other railway dump cars do not have any cross bearers but have a relatively long longitudinally extending door on each side of the center construction. These are other numerous types of railway hopper cars which need not be enumerated here and to which this invention will apply.

In such types of cars the moisture in the lading, due to rain, melting snow, thawing of the material, etc., accumulates adjacent the bottom part of the lading so that that part of the lading in contact with the hoppers, center con--' struction, cross bearers and other associated parts becomes wet and holds the moisture in contact therewith causing excessive corrosion when these parts are made of rolled steel, especially if such rolled steel parts have been deformed by pressing. It is common practice to 3% use such cars for transporting coal and when moist coal, particularly coal dust, is allowed to remain in contact with the rolled steel parts, the

acid formed thereby eats into the steel parts.

Such corrosive and acidic action rapidly cats away the rolled steel and experience shows that 35 car parts, such protection not only has been found to be expensive in time and money, but the lading removes the coating. true or" the inside of open type cars which are turned upside down in unloading machines caus- 5@ ing the load to slide across the inside surface of the car body and also when the discharging load slides across the surface of a drop door and also when the long lading rests upon the lowereddrop end gate of a gondola car the friction therebe tween caused by the movement of the car also re- This is particularly (Cl. ll05249) moves the protective coating from the end gate. Furthermore, certain ladings, such as sulphur and wet coal, which forms sulphuric acid, and saline water (in refrigerator and stock cars) cause rolled steel or iron to corrode. On account of its increased strength rolled steel in the form of plates and bars has supplanted wood in car construction but the corrosive action of the elements eats away the rolled steel or iron material reducing their strength and their length of life.

This applies to both the load carrying members, such as the sills, plates and diaphragms and also to the lading retaining members, such as side and end walls, floors, hoppers, hopper doors, etc.

It has been found that cast metal, particularly cast steel, has more than twice the resistance to corrosion than rolled steel, therefore, one of the objects of the invention is to make the car part of cast metal, preferably cast steel, to enable the car part to resist corrosion, and furthermore, to produce a construction wherein the metal can be disposed and positioned to accommodate the stresses set up by the car in service. Such a cast construction necessitates a minimum amount of material for strength requirements.

An object is to eliminate the cost and delay in fabricating the numerous component parts oi the present structural steel car parts.

Another object of forming the car part of cast metal is to eliminate the possibility of loose con.- nections which would permit relative motion be tween the component parts ofthe car part, as it is common knowledge that the vibration of the car in motion, due to rough and uneven track, and steel wheels rolling on steel rails, together with longer trains and high speeds in present day practice, cause riveted joints and built up sections to work loose and the railroads look with favor upon any device which reduces the number of parts and joints as theseare the weak parts of the car and the more such weak parts are eliminated, the longer the life of the car.

An object of the invention is to form the parts or the car which come in contact with the lower part of the lading of cast metal to eliminate corrosion and acidic action.

as rolled steel is stronger and more reliable under tension it is desirable to form the load susta ning members or frame work or the car of rolled steel. Another object of our invention is to permit the use of such rolled steel members to meet strength requirements, but to protect such members from the lading by covering them with cast metal.

another object is to term a cast metal d tor Mill the center construction having cast metal hoppers on either side thereof cast integral with the hood.

Another object of the invention is to form the cross bearer of cast metal with the cast metal hoppers disposed on opposite sides thereof cas integral with the cross bearer.

Another object of the invention is to provide an integral casting comprising a cross bearer, a center sill hood and two pairs of cast metal hoppers disposed on opposite sides of the cross bearer and hood, respectively.

In the drawings:

Figs. 1, 2 and 3 show a typical railway dump car to which our construction is applicable.

Figs. 4 to 7 inclusive show a form of our invention wherein the hoppers on the opposite side of the car are formed integral with a hood straddling the center construction. v

Figs. 8 to 12 inclusive show a modified form of our invention wherein the center construction is cast integral with the hoppers.

Figs. 13 to 18 inclusive show a modified construction wherein the hoppers are secured to the center construction and cross bearers.

In a hopper car of the type described above the load is carried to the body bolsters 2 by the center sills 3 or center construction 4 and the side walls 5. The center construction usually comprises spaced apart center sills 3 of rolled steel sections and a rolled steel cover plate 6 which sills and cover plate extend between the body bolster and usually therebeyond to accommodate the draft gear. The side walls may be of a truss or a girder design. In the form illustrated the top (7) and bottom (8) chords of the side girder are connected by the web plate 9 which also is the load retaining means of the side wall. To meet strength requirements it is preferable to make the top and bottom chords of rolled steel. In order to save weight and material it is desirable to make the web plate also of rolled steel.

The construction shown in Figs. 4 to 7 inclusive consists of an integral casting comprising a hopper on each side of the center construction, a center construction hood and part of a cross bearer. Two of such castings (preferably duplicates) are secured together to form the complete hopper part of the car, which united castings are then merely secured to the center construction and opposite side walls of the car. Each part of the cross bearer comprises a web plate 13 with the upper stiffener 14 and oppositely disposed sloping lower portions 15 which direct the discharging lading into the hopper. The cross bearer is arranged to protect the lower side chord 8 and the lower portion of the web plate 9 from the lading. The cross bearers straddle the center construction 4 and are secured thereto in any convenient manner. We also prefer to cast hinge lugs 16 integral with this cross bearer to support the hopper door 17. The brace is secured to the side wall and also to the outer end of the cross bearer 12 and comprises a diagonal member 18 extending from adjacent the top of the side wall to substantially the middle of the cross bearer. It is also provided with an extension 19 connected to the upper chord '1 to brace that member against deflection. The hoppers 20 on opposite sides of the cross bearer are preferably cast integral therewith. These hoppers comprise an inclined portion 21 with oppositely disposed substantially upright portions. The inner (22) of saidupright portions is connected to the center sill and arranged to protect it from the lading.

The outer (23) of said portions is connected to the side wall and arranged to protect the lower chord (8) from the lading. The integral reinforcing ribs 24 extend continuously around the inclined portion and the upright portions of the hopper. The hopper is also preferably reinforced with longitudinally extending integral ribs 25 below the inclined portion.

The hood 27 is preferably cast integral with the hoppers disposed on opposite sides of the center construction so that no lading is allowed to come in contact with the center construction. In the preferred form the hood (or hoods) is cast integral with the cross bearer 12 and the two pairs of hoppers are integral with this casting. The hood is apexed to shed the lading into the hoppers.

In our construction we prefer to use cast metal hopper doors so that all parts of the car below the top of the center construction which are in contact with the lading are made of cast metal which is the vulnerable, part of the car so far as corrosion and acidic action is concerned.

In the construction illustrated in Figs. 4 to '7 inclusive the end slope sheet is formed of a plurality of cast metal panels which are secured together on horizontal lines by means of downward- 1y projecting flanges 3132 secured together by rivets. The upper sheet 33 is provided with a flange 34 which engages a recess 35 in the lower sheet 36 to provide a flush upper surface and prevent moisture from-coming in contact with the rivets. The end sloping floor sheet is preferably braced to the center construction and side wall in any convenient manner. These end floor sheet panels are shown extending from the side wall of the car to the center of the car (see Fig. 1) where they are secured to the companion panel on the other side of the car. It may be desirable, however, to extend these panels the entire distance between the sides of the car. The end wall sheet 38 is preferably made of rolled steel and is secured to an upwardly projecting ,fiange on the uppermost end floor panel.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 8 to 12 inclusive the center construction 50 is made of cast metal with its opposite ends secured to the body bolsters of the car and comprises spaced apart substantially vertical walls 51 which are connected by an upper apexed wall 52 or.roof to shed the discharging lading into the hopper. The lower part of the construction comprises an integral horizontal wall 53 but the core holes. are preferably positioned in this lower wall. The

center construction is provided on its interior with a plurality of ribs 54. The cross bearer, which is substantially the same as that shown in Fig. 6, is cast integral with the center construction.

In the construction shown in Fig. 11 the center construction 50, cross bearer 55 and hoppers 56 (all four of them) are made of one integral casting. The lower part 5 of the hopper may be cast separately (as shown in Fig. 12) and secured to this casting. The lower part of the hopper may be subjected to harder usage and need replacement more frequently.

The upper part of the bearer may be provided with wings 58 for attachment of the brace 59.

In the construction shown in Figs. 13 to 18 in- I elusive the center construction comprises a pair of rolled steel channels 60 or beams (called center sills) extending between the body bolsters 61 of the car and an upper cover plate 62secured thereto. The hood 56 preferably extends berecl ner tween the end sloping floor sheet and the cross bearer 63. The hood is preferably of cast metal as it comes in contact with the lading and comprises oppositely inclined top portions 5'! and depending flanges 58 which overlap and are secured to the center sills 60. The cross bearer 63 is made of cast metal attached at one end to one of the center sills (or to the center construction) and its opposite end is secured to the side wall 64 of the car. The cross bearer is pro vided with oppositely disposed sloping surfaces 65 to direct the discharging lading into the hopper and also has vertically disposed ribs 66 and integral hinge lugs 67 are positioned below the sloping portion and adjacent the vertical rib and cast integral therewith providing a very strong hinge lug arrangement. The upper part of the cross bearer is arranged for attachment of the bracing member 68, which arrangement, in the form shown, comprises a flat substantially horizontal upper surface 69 to accommodate the T section 70 of the brace so as to obtain two rows of rivets connecting the two elements. This brace may extend continuously from side to side oi the car or be made of two members secured together by a splice plate 71, as shown in Fig. 1d. The outer vertical portion 72 of the brace is secured to the side wall 64 of the car. This brace resists the tendency of the side wall as a girder to buckle and also in combination with the cross bearer 63 suspends the center construction from the opposite side walls.

The hopper comprises a sloping portion and a substantially upright inner portion 81 secured to the center construction and a substantially upright outer portion 82 secured to the side wall of the car. This hopper may be made of one integral casting or of two castings secured together, as shown. The.upper portion of the hopper may be formed to engage the lower portion of the lower sloping floor panel, 83, as shown at 84 in Fig. 18, or may be arranged to accommodate a rolled steel sloping floor sheet 85, as shown in Fig. 10.

The end sloping floor really extends from the hopper door opening to the end wall 38 of the car and just what proportion or part of this sloping floor should be made of cast metal and what part should be made of rolled steel will depend upon the commodity to be transported and other considerations.

In the designshown in Fig. 8 we have shown a rolled steel sloping floor (91) extending to substantially the top of the center construction and a cast metal panel 92 spanning the distance between the end of the rolled-steel floor and the upper part of the cast metal hopper. Several of these panels may be used if desired.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the preferred form of the invention, though it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the exact details of construction shown and described, as it is obvious that various modifications thereof within the scope of the claims will occur to persons skilled in the art.

We claim:

1. In a railway dump car, the combination of center sills, and an integral metallic casting comprising a center sill hood and hoppers disposed on opposite sides of the center sills.

2. In a railway dump car, the combination of center sills, and an integral metallic casting comprising a center sill hood and two pairs of hoppers disposed on opposite sides of the center sills.

3. In a railway dump car, the combination of center sills, and an integral metallic casting comprising a center sill hood and hoppers disposed on opposite sides of the center sills, said hood having inclined surfaces to direct the discharging lading into the hoppers.

4. In a railway dump car, the combination of center sills, side wall girders with lower chords, and an integral metallic casting comprising a center sill hood and hoppers disposed on opposite sides of the center sills, the cast metal elements arranged to keep the lading out of contact with the center sills and chords.

5. In a railway dump car, the combination of center sills, and an integral metallic casting comprising a cross bearer and hoppers disposed on 5):) opposite sides of the bearer.

6. In a railway dump car, the combination of center sills, and an integral metallic casting comprising. a cross bearer and hoppers disposed on opposite sides of the bearer, said cross bearer having inclined surfaces to direct the discharging lading into the hoppers.

7. In a railway dump car, the combination of center sills, and an integral metallic casting comprising a cross bearer and two pairs of hoppers disposed on opposite sides of the bearer.

8. In a railway dump car, the combination of center sills, and an integral metallic casting comprising a cross bearer, a center sill hood and two pairs of hoppers disposed on opposite sides of the center sills.

9. In a. railway dump car, the combination of center sills, and an integral metallic casting comprising a cross bearer, a center sill hood and two pairs of hoppers disposed on opposite sides of the center sills, said hood and said cross bearer having inclined surfaces to direct the discharging lading into the hoppers.

10. In a railway dump car, the combination of center sills, an integral metallic casting comprising a cross bearer having integral hinge lugs and hoppers disposed on opposite sides of the bearer, and cast metal hopper doors hinged to said hinge lugs.

11. In a railway car having body bolsters, a cast metal center sill with its opposite ends secured to said bolsters, said center sill comprising integral spaced apart substantially vertical walls connected by a top wall, and a cross bearer cast integral with the center sill.

12. In a railway car having body bolsters and side walls, a cast metal center sill with its opposite ends secured to said bolsters, said center sill comprising integral spaced apart substantially vertical walls connected by a top wall, and a cross 13g bearer cast integral with the center sill with its opposite ends secured to said side walls.

13. In a railway car having body bolsters and side walls, a cast metal center sill with its opposite ends secured to said bolsters, and a cross 135 bearer cast integral with the center'sill with its opposite ends secured to said side walls, said cross bearer comprising an upper portion passing over the center sill and a lower portion merging into the center sill with their outer ends attached to 140 the adjacent side wall.

14. In a railway car having body bolsters and side walls, a cast metal center sill with its opposite ends secured to said bolsters, said center sill comprising integral spaced apart substan- I45 tially vertical walls connected by a top wall, and a cross bearer cast integral with the center sill with its opposite ends secured to said side walls, said cross bearer comprising an upper portion passing over the center silland a lower portion 359 merging into the center sill with their outer ends attached to the adjacent side wall.

15. In a railway car having body bolsters and side walls, a cast metal center sill with its opposite ends secured to said bolsters, said center sill comprising integral spaced apart substantially vertical walls connected by an apexed top wall, and a cross bearer cast integral with the center sill with its-opposite ends secured to said side walls, said cross bearer comprising an upper portion passing over the center sill and a lower portion having oppositely sloping parts merging into the center sill with their outer ends attached to the adjacent side wall.

16. As an article of manufacture, a cast metal center sill comprising integral spaced apart sub stantially vertical walls connected by a top wall, and a cross bearer cast integral with the center sill, said cross bearer comprising an upper portion passing over the center sill and a lower portion merging into the center sill.

1'7. As an article of manufacture, a cast metal center sill comprising integral spaced apart substantially vertical walls connected by an apexed top wall, and across bearer cast integral with the center sill, said cross bearer comprising an upper portion passing over the center sill and a lower portion having oppositely sloping'parts merging into the center sill.

18. In a railway car, the combination of a center construction, spaced apart side walls, and an integral casting comprising a cross bearer between the side Walls and center construction, and a hopper on each side of the center construction.

19. In a railway car, the combination of a center construction, spaced apart side walls, and

an integral casting comprising a hopper on each side of the center construction, and a hood part straddling said center construction and connecting the hoppers.

20. In a railway car, the combination of a center construction, spaced apart side walls, and an integral casting comprising a cross bearer between the side walls and center construction, a hopper on each side of the center construction and a hood part straddling said center construction and connecting the hoppers.

21. In a railway car, the combination of a center construction, spaced apart side walls, and an integral casting comprising a cross bearer between the side walls and center construction, a hopper on each side of the center construction, a hood part straddling said center construction and connecting the hoppers, and doors hinged to said cross bearer to close said openings whereby the hoppers and all the car parts in contact with the lading are of cast metal.

22. A cast metal hopper for a railway car coniprising an inclined portion and oppositely disposed upright portions, said hopper formed with reinforcing ribs extending continuously around all of said portions.

23. A cast metal hopper for a railway car comprising an inclined portion and oppositely disposed upright portions, said hopper formed with reinforcing ribs extending continuously around all of said portions, and longitudinally extending ribs below said inclined portion.

24. In a railway car, the combination of 'a center construction, a side wall, and an integral hopper secured to the under side of said center construction and said side wall.

25. In a railway car, the combination of a center construction, a side wall, a sloping floor, and an integral hopper secured to the under side of said center construction, said side wall and said sloping fioor.

26. In a railway dump car, the combination of spaced apart center sills, each having a vertical web and an outwardly extending flange and an integral metallic casting comprising a center sill hood and hoppers disposed on opposite sides of the center sills rigidly secured to said webs and offset to overlie said flanges.

27. In a railway dump car, the combination of spacedapart center sills, each having a vertical web and an outwardly extending flange and an integral metallic casting comprising a cross bearer and hoppers disposed on opposite sides of the bearer rigidly secured to said webs and offset to overlie said flanges. a

28. In a railway car, the combination of a center construction, spaced apart side walls, and an integral casting comprising a cross bearer extending between the side walls and overlying the center construction and also comprising a hopper between each side wall and the center construction.

29. In a railway car underframe, side sills, spaced vertical center sill webs, extending from bolster to bolster, and inclined floor elements integral with said webs and extending between the same and said side sills and constituting underframe cross ties.

30. In a railway car underframe, side sills, a 

